Tongs.



No. 694,495. Patented Mal 4, I902.

M. QUINN.

TONG-S.

' I (Application filed Dec. 19. 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet Lgwumhyr/ THE Nonms PETERS ca. Proroumu, WASHINGTON n c No. 694,495.Patented Mar. 4,1902. m. uumn. v

. TDNGS.

(Application flld pee. v19. 1901.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I I .I v attocneqo UNIT D STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

MARTIN QUINN,'OF BLAoKRooK, ARKANSAS.

TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters .E'atent No. 694,495, dated March4, 1902.

Application filed December 19, 1.901. Serial No. 86,632. (No model.)

scription of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to tongs, and more particularly to that classused for gathering from river-bottoms mussels,oysters, and othershell-fish.

The object of the invention is to provide a' tongs the fork-heads ofwhich may be easily and quickly removed from the shanks of the tongs forthe purpose of supplying said shanks with heads of different sizes tosuit the work at hand.

With this object in view the invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and combination and arrangement of parts,aswill be hereinafter more fully described, defined in the appendedclaims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a perspective view of a pair of tongs. Fig. 2 is an enlargedperspective view of one member of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalvertical sectional view taken through the parts. Fig. i is a detailperspective view of the fork-head. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective viewof the gib and key.

In the drawing, 1 denotes the shanks of a pair of tongs, each forked atits lower end to provide parallel lips 52, having alined apertures 3.The lower end of the shank above the parallel lips is provided with achamber 4:. The shanks are pivoted together andhave their upper endsfitted into recesses formed in the inner faces ofa pair ofoperating-handles and held in place in any suitable manner, as by screwsand nuts, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

5 denotes the fork-head of the tongs provided with a tang 6, which isadapted to fit said chamber and having located between its two centralteeth or tines a wedge -shaped block 7, which is provided with anaperture 8, which is caused to register with the apertures of the lips.This block serves to prevent the entrance of dirt, sand, and otherforeign matter between the lips and the consequent binding of the parts,thus serving the purpose of a filling-block.

9 denotes the gib, and 10 the key. The gib is formed at one end with abeveled head 11, having an abrupt shoulder 12. The bevel on said headfacilitates the introduction of the gib through the apertures of thelips and block by crowding pastthe same if not truly alined, and theshoulder is designed to engage and project over the end wall of theoutermost lip. The opposite end of this gib is provided with an offsetapertured head 13 and with a brace-knee 14, which are adapted to engagethe inner side of the innermost lip.

The key 10 is tapered and is adapted to be' inserted from the outsidethrough the apertures of the lips and block and is provided with ascrew-threaded extension which passes through the aperture in the headof the gib and receives a binding-nut 15, which securely holds the partsin clamped position after the key has been driven home.

When it is desired to remove the fork-head for the purpose of replacingit with one of a different size, the nut is loosened, the key drivenout, the gib removed, and the 'tang of the fork-head withdrawn from itssocket and a fork-head of a different size placed in position in themanner above described.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it is thought that the construction, operation,and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent withoutrequiring an extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details ofconstruction maybe resorted to without departing from the principle orsacrificing any ofthe advantages of this invention, and I thereforereserve to my is claimed, and desired to be secured by Lettors-Patent,is-

The combination with the shank of a pair of tongs, said shank beingprovided with parallel lips having alined apertures; of a forkheadplaced between said lips, a gib inserted in said apertures and providedwith a shoul- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set der at one endand a perforated head at the my hand in presence of two subscribingWitopposite end, and a keyinserted through said nesses.

apertures and having a screw-threaded ex- MARTIN QUINN. 5 tension thatpasses through the aperture in Vitnesses:

the head of the gib, and a nut screwed upon JAMES XV. MCPIIINK,

said extension, substantially as specified. M. L. QUINN.

